A TRAIN station has become step-free after new lifts were opened as part of an accessibility project.
The £4million installation at Anniesland station is part of the Access for All (AfA) scheme which is designed to improve access within stations for people with impaired mobility or those travelling with luggage, children or bicycles.
Anniesland's new lifts were installed at street level on either side of the railway bridge on Great Western Road, differing from most AfA projects which sees new lifts positioned on platforms.
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Lord Peter Hendy, Rail Minister, said: "Anniesland station being made step-free is an important development in improving rail accessibility.
"Enabling people to take the journeys they want, how they want, is crucial to ensuring passengers can travel with confidence."
Network Rail began work at the station in autumn last year with the lifts being installed during an overnight operation in June this year.
Representatives from the project team welcomed Patricia Ferguson, MP for Glasgow West, and other stakeholders back to the station on Friday, October 4 to mark the project's completion.
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Ms Ferguson said: "Anniesland station connects communities with Glasgow’s massive suburban railway, and the wider rail network.
"The upgrades make it easier for anyone with impaired mobility, travelling with children, push chairs, or even heavy luggage to travel by train so it really is a worthwhile project.
"The station turns 150 years old later this month, so I appreciate the amount of work that’s gone into designing and installing this unique step-free solution that’s in keeping with the local area.
"Thanks to Network Rail and Story Contracting for carrying out the upgrades with the support of Department for Transport/Transport Scotland and Glasgow City Council."
Amanda Naughton, Network Rail's scheme project manager, added: "We are delighted to welcome Ms Ferguson back to Anniesland station to mark the opening of two new lifts to improve accessibility and enable more people to travel by train.
"This work is part of the Access for All scheme but Anniesland is an excellent example that these projects aren’t ‘one size fits all.
"Installing the lift towers in the railway embankment to provide step-free access from street level on Great Western Road to the platforms is a solution we are very proud of.
"Thank you to passengers and those living and working near Anniesland station for their patience and understanding as we completed this important work which we hope will be of great benefit to the local and wider community alike."
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